Over three billion people worldwide depend on wild-caught and farmed seafood for their primary protein intake, as global aquaculture production hits a new record. According to a recent report, 89% of all aquatic animal production is now used for direct human consumption, highlighting a significant increase in the global consumption of aquatic foods. In response, aquaculture startups are leveraging AI technology to boost production and sustainability.
Among these innovators is Wittaya Aqua, a Canada-based startup that offers a data-driven platform for seafood farmers. Wittaya Aqua's platform consolidates data across the seafood supply chain to enhance profitability, sustainability, and efficiency. The startup recently raised $2.8 million in a seed round to further develop its feed-to-farm platform and expand its presence in Asia, the leading region in aquaculture production.
Co-founder and CEO Evan Hall emphasized the importance of Asia in their global vision, noting that the region's high production levels present significant growth potential through data-driven practices. Countries such as China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and South Korea dominate the aquaculture industry, driving the need for innovative solutions.
Wittaya Aqua's platform employs AI and machine learning to refine science-based models, predict animal growth, and recommend optimal feed types and quantities. By analyzing historical data and environmental factors, the platform offers strategies to maximize crop yields. Hall, along with co-founder Dominique Bureau, identified the inefficiencies in the traditional fragmented data approach and established Wittaya Aqua in 2017 to address these challenges.
The startup aims to consolidate data from various supply chain points—farmers, feed mills, and ingredient suppliers—into a single, centralized platform. This integration provides transparency and actionable insights, helping stakeholders make informed decisions. The platform's unique capability to combine nutritional information with field performance sets Wittaya Aqua apart from competitors, allowing for precise modeling of feed ingredient impacts on animal performance.
Wittaya Aqua's clientele includes ingredient suppliers, feed mills, and farmers, with notable customers such as BioMar, De Heus, Uni-President, and the US Soybean Export Council. The startup is already generating revenue and aims to continue expanding its user base.
Looking ahead, Wittaya Aqua plans to reduce perceived credit or insurance risks related to production mortality and connect users with lenders and insurers offering customized financial products. This two-pronged approach aims to enhance financial stability for farmers and further propel the aquaculture industry.
The global aquaculture market is projected to reach $355.6 billion by 2033, up from $299 billion in 2023, according to Precedence Research. As Wittaya Aqua continues to innovate and expand, it stands at the forefront of leveraging AI to revolutionize seafood production and sustainability.
